June 1814 — War Visits the Patuxent

At the mouth of St. Leonard Creek in June 1814, Americans battled the stronger British Navy after Commodore Barney and his Chesapeake Flotilla escaped upriver from the Battle of Cedar Point near the mouth of the Patuxent. For three days starting June 8th, the Americans kept the British at bay despite repeated bombardment, and the British ship HMS St. Lawrence was so badly damaged that it was temporarily abandoned on the shore there. In the following weeks, while Barney's flotilla remained in St. Leonard Creek, the British carried out a destructive campaign along both shores of the Patuxent, confiscating supplies, demanding information, and burning many houses and barns, including John Stuart Skinners' barn on what is now park property. On Jun 26th, the British attacked the Chesapeake Flotilla again in an attempt to draw it from its hiding place, but the second battle ended in a draw as the Americans slipped out of the creek and sailed up the Patuxent River.

Maryland · United States